Loose-leaf binder.



l W. s. PROUDPIT, JR.

LOOSE LEAP BINDER. APPLICATION P ILED JULY 29, 1907.

958,1 71 Patented May 17, 1910.

I f f 2 SHEETS-SBIEET l. v: l

W. S. PROUDF-IT, JB. LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLIUATION rum JULY 29, 1907.

958,171 Patented May 17,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@Nl STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM- S. PROUDFIT, JR., OEE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.I

To all whom it* frrtayfco'nc'ervr;

Be it known that I, S. PROUD'- iiT, Jr., a citizen of theuUnited'States, re'- sidingl at Chicago, in the county' of- Cook' and State ofIllinois, have invented a' new' and useful Loose-Leaf- B'inder, of whichthe following 1s a' specica tion;

My invention relatesv tob1nders having one or more. leaf holding stripsto which the leaves. are removably secured, afnd the ob- ]ects of myinvention are first, to have a tree and complete action of the covers;seeond, to afford aflexible andl substantial fla-t o )enin bindinf`-third. to' rovide a con venient means for attachingand detaching'leaves; fourth, to-provide a novel means for adjusting the leaf holdingbands; fifth, to

make a cheap and durable construction and other objects to' becomeapparent from the description to follow.

rFlic binder comprises twocovers preferably hinged a shortdist-ance fromtheir binding edge to a back, and' leaf holding bands connected lio-thecovers' and adjusted thereon in a novel manner. rllhe covers areprovided with eyes near their binding edge' ,ricalh the rod, bytheswinging of the cover when the binder is closed.

-The leaves are attac-hed to the leaf hold ing bands by suitable notchesin their binding'cdge. These notches are so laced that n. Ashort stubAendl of each leaf wi l lie below the bands when the leaves are inposition.

"llfiicn the binder is closed, that. portion of the binding' edge of thecovers extending be'- yond the rods 'which holdl the bands will beapproximately parallel .with the leaves.

A"When the binder is opened thebindinffedge of the covers will swingagainst the ieaves, thus pressing them more firmly when the binder i'sopened than when it is closed. The bands are exible, preferably, Hat'.and of resilient. material and are adjustably attached tothe covers ina manner hereinafter described.

To. describe my invention so 'that others versed in the art to which 1tpertains mayl Specification of. Letters Patent.

' A'pp liea'tin" filed .Tilly 29, 1907. Serial Not 386134 Patented Mayi7, 19M).

make andz use the saine I ha-v'e illustrated' it on theacconipanyingsheet of draw ing forming apart of this specificationin'-Whiclr;

Figure l, is aplan view of a binder ernbody'ing my invention with bothcovers open and all the leaves removed. Fig. 2, is a cross section online 2 2 of Fig. l, but With the covers closed; Fig. 3, is a similarview' Withthecovers open; Fig.' 4' is an enlarged detail view; Fig. 5,is a' perspective of aA catch used on the binder; Figs. Gand 7 areperspectives ofV sheet metal fastening plates usedon" the binder; Fig.8, isa modification and Fig. 9,

is a portion' of the binding edge of ale-af Ashowing the aperture forthe leaf holding band.

Similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout theseveral views.

The covers 5 and 6 are Hexibly connected tothe back 7 A andE arelpreferably provided at their binding edgesv with metal plates 5" and 6having a portion curled baelr` into the eyes 8 and 9 through which areplaced' the rods 10 and' 11 respectively. The' plates 57 and G may beextended' to form the c0mplete covers and' any suitable material may beused,l although metal. The eyes 8 and 9 are positioned to act as guidestothe leaf holding bands 12', which are passed between the rods 10, l'l,andthe metal plates 5 and 6 andv arethen connected to the covers, so'that the connected ends swing with the' covers, and the intermediateIportion lying'between thel rods I- prefer to use sheetv l0 and l1` maybe deflected from the covers by the swinging of the covers when closing'The rods l0 and 1'1 are not the binder. y necessarily round' but Iprefer t-o make' them so to provide asmooth round surface for `the bandsto bend back and' -forth upon at this point.

A portionl3', ofzthe plates on which the' eyes 8 andv 9are formedextends beyond the eyes S and 9; This extension 13, lies approxim'atelyparallel with the leaves When the covers are in a closed position, thebinding force 0f the covers against'the leaves being exertedA at or nearthe point Where the leaf' holding strips emerge from t'heopening'underthe rods 10 and l'l, as seen in Fig. 2. When the covers areopenedY the' extension 1'3" swings around against the leaves,

the binding' force then being exerted' Where ,the extremity of' theextension' 13l en ages the leaves as seen in Figi 3". This resu ts inthe leavesV being 'somewhat more' loosely' ilo bound when the covers areclosed than when they are opened. Heretofore in books of thisdescriptioxl the greatest strain on the leaf holding bands occurred whenthe covers were closed, but by the use of my invention as describedabove, the strain on the bands is relieved when the covers are closed,because the length of the intermediate or leaf holding portion of theband is then 1ncreased by the sum of the distances from the rods 10 and11 to the ends of the extensions 13, thus equalizing the tension on thebands when the covers are opened and closed, and permitting free andcomplete action of the covers.

Then the covers of the binder are opened the leaf holding intermediateportions of the bands 12 are thrown up away from the back 7 thuspermitting the leaves to lie fiat; when the vcovers are closed the bandsrecede into the back. A

I prefer to make a slight bend inward in the extension 13 which servesto give the bands 12 a greater upward direction when the covers areopened. yThis bend may be made so that the binding edge of the coverswill engage the leaves either above -or below the line of the bands 12.vp

The extension 13 may extend along the entire binding edge of the covers5 and 6, or along a part of the binding edge only, without changing itsaction on the leaves. I prefer to make that part of the extension 13under'the bands 12 somewhat shorter than lthe remainder of theextension, thus leaving .a little space between the extremity of 13 atthis point and the leaves, as this serves to relieve the strainon thebands 12 when the covers are swung.

Each leaf holding band 12 has one end adjustably secured to lcover 6 bymeans of a small metallic extension or lug 14 fastened to cover 6. Thelug 14 can be formed on a part of the cover, but I prefer to make it 'ona separate plate 15, towhich is also loosely attached the small rod 16which serves to hold the band 12 close to plate 15 with ythe lug 14extending through one of the series of openings in said band. The rod 16is bent around the eyelet 17 to swing about the same loosely and when inposition to hold the band 12 its free end is sprung under the hook 18formed on plate 15. The relative positions of the eyelet 17, the lug 14and the hook 18 is such that the rod 1'6 is held under the hook 18 bythe lug 14. The plate 15 is'secured to the cover by clenching down therongs 15a; The other end of each leaf hollding band 12 is ivotallyconnected to the center strand o a U 'shaped bail 19 which has itsextremities pivotally secured to the cover 5, by the eye plates 20 insuch manner as to swing the center strand toward and away from thebinding edge of the cover. Obviously the l.clenched to secure it to thesaid cover.

catch 21 is pivoted to a small plate 21a,

binding edge of the cover.- To normally re- 7 tain the bail 19 in aposition farthest ter strand is sprung under the catch 21 secured tocover 5. It is understood that the pivoted member above described is notnecessarily a U shaped bail, but may be of any form permitting pivotalconnection with the cover 5 and pivotal connection with the band 12 at apoint. not in line with the pivotal connections with the cover 5, sothat 'the pivotally connected end of the band 12 may be swung toward andaway from the binding'edge of the cover 5.

, The eyed plate 20, which is shown in detail in Fig. 6, is providedwith a plurality of prongs 20a which piereethe cover 5 and are The whichis secured to cover 5 in a similar manner z'. e. by prongs.` The catch21 has formed thereon a hook 2lb, in which the bail 19 normally rests.It will be noted as seen in Fig. 5, that the hook 211 is slightly nearerthe cover than the pivot on which the catch 21 swings, so that the pullexerted by the bands 12 will tend to hold the catch21 with its free endagainst the cover 5.

l/Vhen itis' desired to remove a leaf from the binder it is necessary'tohave considerable slack in the bands' 12 between the covers which isprovided by swinging the bail 19 toward the binding edge of the cover.It may be stated here that each leaf as shown in Fig. 9, Vis providedlwith suitable shaped notches in its binding edge to receive each band 12in the usual manner.

To remove 'or insert a leaf the bail 19 is first released from the catch21 and then the cover 5 vis pulled away from the leaves in the binder,which is accomplished by holding the leaves or preferably the fly leafin one hand and the cover 5 in the other hand and pulling apart. By thusmanipulating the binder the leaves orat least some of them are liable t0be torn attheir bindingI from. the binding edge of the cover thecenedge* I therefore provide a heavy fly leaf y 22 adjacent to eachcover and provide slots 23 in the binding edges of said leaves for thereception of the leaf holding bands l2.

In the binding edge of each iiy leaf 22 a strip 21 preferably of sheetmetal is mounted, having suitable perforations for the. bands 12 to passthrough. The fly leaves :22 serve to preventvabrasion of theleaves inthe binder since they are interposed between the covers and the leavesand are'also used as a stra, to be pulled upon instead of the leaveswien the cover is separated from the sheets by swinging the bail 19.

In Fig. 8, is shown a niodication in small hooks 27`provided on cover6.' The hooks as will be seen are alternately faced in oppositedirections, so that the red 2G will be held under said hooks 27 andserve to hold the bands 1Q nextto cover 6 with the lug 14 extendingthrough one of the series of openings in the band 12.

Having thus full)1 described my invention what- I claim as newand desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a loose leafbinder, covers, leaf holding strips and means whereby the leaves in thebinder are pressed more tightly together when the covers are open thanwhen the covers are closed. y

2. Inl a loose leaf binder, the combination of the covers, leaf holdingmembers having their ends attached to swing with said covers and flexthe intermediate portion of said members lyingtbet-ween the covers, andthe rigid binding edges of the covers extended to press against theleaves at a point back of the leaf holding members when the covers areopened and be disengaged from said leaves when the covers are closed.

3. In a loose leaf binder, a cover, a"resiliI ent leaf holdingbandsecured to said cover, eyes formed on said cover some distance from'thebinding edge thereof, a rod inserted in said eyes and said bandextending under said rod whereby said band is lield clos-cto 'thesurface of said cover.

4. In a loose leaf binder, a cover, a plurality of Ileaf holding membersextending from the binding` edge of said cover, means on the cover forholding said'members close to the surface of said cover near its bindingedge, a U shaped bail having its ends piv otally securedfo said cover toswing its middle portion toward and away fioin the binding` edge, oneend of each of said bands at-.

tached to the middle portion of said bail and means for holding the'middle portion :if said bail close to said cover.

5. In a loose leafibinder, a pair of covers, leaf holdingmembersbridging the space between the covers having their endsadjustably secured to the covers,.i`neans on one of the coverscomprising a pivoted member arranged to swine' toward and awa-y from thebinding edge ofthe cover, for releasing the tension on said leaf holdingmembers.

At3. In a loose leaf binder, covers,`leaf holding members bridging thespace between the' covers having their ends secured to thecoverssomedistance fromthe binding edge of the covers in such manner.that the distance from the binding edge of one cover .to the binding.edge-.of the other cover will be materially less when the covers areopen than when the covers are closed.

7. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of thecovers and resilientleaf holding bands havin their ends attached to the covers a materialdistance from the binding edge thereof, the attached endsof the leafholding bands arranged to swing with the covers and flex theintermediate portionof said ban-ds lying between the secured points whenthe covers are swung.

8. In a loose leaf binder, a cover, a nonstraight rod pivotallyconnected to said cover, a leaf holding strip connected to a part ofsaid-rod notv in line with the pivotal connection of the rod to thecover, the said strip being movably connected to said cover at or nearthe binding edge thereof.

9. In a loose leaf binder, covers, a member pivotally connected to oneof said covers to vswing .toward and away from the binding edge thereof,a leaf holding member having one end connected to said first namedmember and the other end connected to the other cover.

10. In a loose leaf binder, covers, a meniber pivotally connected to oneof said covers to swing toward and away from the binding edge thereof, aleaf holding member having one end connected to said first named meni-Aber and the other end adjustably connected to the other cover.

11. In a loose leafbinder, covers, a meniber pivotally `connected to oneof said covers edge thereof, a leaf holding member passing -looselythrough a slot at or near the binding' .to said first named member andthe other end 'attachedt'o the other cover, and means for holding-saidfirst named member in a position farthest away from the binding edge ofsaid cover.

13. In a loose leaf binder, covers, a rod pivotally connected to one of`said covers to swing toward and away from the binding -edge thereof,anda leaf holding strip having one end connected to said rod and theother end connected to the other cover with an-intermediateportion ofsaid strip lying between said covers, means for retaining that portionof said strip adjacent to said covers inline therewith so that the endsof said leaf holding strip will. swing with the covers, and

-flex the intermediate portion of the strip to# ward the back ofthebinder as the covers are to swing towardaiid away from the bindingclosed and in an opposite direction as the covers are opened.

14. In a loose leaf binder, a cover, a leaf holding strip provided witha plurality of perforations adjustably secured to said cover, aplurality -of laterally extending lugs op said cover one of which isarranged to extend through a perforation inthe leaf holding strip, and arod extending over said leaf holding strip and alternately -on oppositesides of said laterally extending lugs whereby one of said lugs isprevented from leaving the perforation in said leaf holding band.

l5. In a loose leaf binder, a swinging cover and a flexible leaf holdingmember connected to said cover a material distance from the binding edgethereof so arranged that the leaf holding member will be deflected fromthe cover at its connected point when the cover is closed and will runalong said cover and over the binding edge thereof when the cover isopen.

1G. In a loose leaf binder, a swinging cover having an extension on itsbinding edge approximately in line with said cover, and a flexible leafholding member connected to said cover a distance back of said extensionand so arranged-that the leaf holding member will be deflected from thecover at its 'connected point when the cover is closed and will runalong said extension and over the edge thereof when the cover is opened.

17. In a loose leaf bindei', a pair of swinging covers and a flexibleleaf holding member having its ends attached to said coversa distanceback from their binding edges and an intermediate portion lying betweensaid covers, the said parts being lso arranged that the attached ends ofsaid leaf holding membersl will swing with the covers and theintermediate portion of said leaf holding members will be flexed awayfrom the binding edges of said covers when they are in a closed positionand will relatively approach the binding edge of said covers as they areswung to an open position.

1S. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of swinging covers, a flexible leafholding member having its ends attached to said covers a, distance backfrom their binding edges and an intern'iediate portion lying between thepoints where it is attached to Said covers, leaves disposed on .saidleaf holding member and so arranged that the binding edge of lsaidcovers will exert pressure against said leaves when said covers areiinan open position and said pressure on said leaves will be decreased asthe covers are closed.

'19. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of swinging covers, a flexiblemember having its ends attached to saidvcovers a distance back fromtheir binding edges and an intermediate leaf holding section of saidflexible member lying between the binding edges of said covers when theyare in an open position and ing covers, a resilient leaf holding memberhaving its ends attached to said covers a distance back from theirbinding edges with an intermediate portion of said resilient memberlying between the attached ends thereof and arranged to be flexed awayfrom said covers at the points where it is attached thereto when saidcovers are closed and to run along said covers and over the bindingedges thereof when said covers are open.

21. In a loose leaf binder, covers, a flexible leaf holding memberhaving one end attached to one cover and the other end passed looselythrough an aperture at or near the binding edge of the other cover and amember which has pivotal connection with said last named coverpermitting it to swing toward and away from the binding edge of saidcover to which pivoted member said leaf holding member is connected.

22. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of covers.l i

a member pivotally attached to one of said covers to permit a portion ofsaid 'memberv to swing toward and away from thebinding edge of saidcover, a flexible leaf holding strip pivotally connected with theswinging portion of said member and passing therefrom loosely through anaperture at 'or near the binding edge of said cover to the other of saidcovers to which it is attached. r

23. In a loose leaf binder, covers, a flexible leaf holding member,means forconnecting said leaf holding member to said covers comprisingeyes formed on said covers a distance back from their binding edges androds inserted in said eyes in such a manner as to leave aperturesbetween said rods and the covers to which they are attached and saidleaf holding member passing through said apertures.

24. In a loose leaf binder, covers, a flexible leaf holding member,means for adjustably attaching said leaf holding member to said 'coverscomprising a pluralityof apertures inl said member, a plurality oflaterally extending lugs on the covers, one 0f which is arranged toextend through a per-- foration in said-member and a rod or wire held inposition by said `lugs overl said member.

In a loose leaf binder, a" cover, a leaf holding strip passing throughan aperture near the binding edge of the cover, an extension on thebinding edge of the. cover terminating a. material ldistance beyond theaperture ,for said leaf holding member so that leaves in the binder willbe more tightly bound when the cover is open than when 'iso p thecover'is closed, an adjusting member pivoted to the cover to swingtoward and curlng said strip to said cover comprising a plate rigidlysecured to the cover provided with three lugs, the middle one arrangedto enter a perforation in said strip and'a rod pivotally connected toone of theI remaining lugs and adapted to be secured to the third l-u Ina loose leaf binder, a leaf holding strip, a cover, means' on thecoverto exert a pull on said strip comprising a' rod and a catch on saidcover pivoted to swing about an axis parallel to the. binding Iedge ofthe cover to securely hold said rod in its normal position.

28. In a loose leaf binder, a'cover, a leaf holding strip and means forsecuring one end of said strip to the cover comprislnga catch providedwith a hook so pivoted to the cover that when the pull on said strip isexerted on said hook the catch after beingy swung over its dead centerwill be held against the cover.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication inpresence of two subscribing witnesses this '24th day of July, 1907 atChicago, Illinois.

WILLIAM S. PROUDFIT, JR. l/Vitnesses: Y i

R. J. JAOKER, MILTON LENOIR.

